Portable combination tool



Dec. 12, 1961 1.. F. LAMB ETAL PORTABLE COMBINATION TOOL INVENTORS LEE F. LAMB and LAWRENCE C. FQEEMAN,JR. J 1% BY d5-Qdfii fiafl ATTORNEYS Filed Oct. 3, 1960 United States Patent 3,012,441 PORTABLE COMBINATION TOOL Lee F. Lamb, 77 Delmarst, and Lawrence Carroll Freeman, Jr., Hardin Road, both of Lumberton, N.C.

. Filed Oct. 3, 1960, Ser. No. 60,185

2 Claims. (CI. 74-16) This invention relates to tools and more particularly to a portable combination tool for driving a plurality of different attachments.

In the past, it has been necessary to have several different drive units for a plurality of different attachments such as, for examp1e,'a post hole auger, a drill bit or a grinding unit. For the use of these attachments, it was necessary to have at least two drive units which were either portable or mounted on a stand or other suitable support.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a single portable tool for driving a plurality of different attachments for performing a number of distinct functions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus having a plurality of different speeds for driving a number of different attachments to perform separate functions.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lighte weight portable combination tool for driving a plurality of separate attachments at different speeds.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus of the present invention having a post-hole digging auger attached thereto and showing the power supply for the motor systematically;

- FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in'FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIGUREI; V

, FIGURE 4 is a section taken substantially along line 44 of FIGURE 2; Y

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view. of the apparatus of the present invention showing a drill bit attached thereto;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the apparatus of the present invention showing a grinding wheel attached thereto and having a suitable stand; and

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view looking in the direction of'line 717'in FIGURE 6.

Referring now to the" drawings, there is shown in FIG- URES 1 through 4 a combination tool 10 comprising a motor 11 which is driven by a suitable power source such as a battery 12. The power supply to motor 11 is controlled by a switch 18 mounted on the side of the motor. The motor 11 has an output shaft 13 with a drive pulley 14 mounted for rotation therewith. The output shaft 13 is extended beyond the pulley 14 and is threaded for the reception of suitable attachments to be driven by the motor 11 at the speed which output shaft 13 rotates.

A transmission 15 is attached to motor 11 by a suitable frame member 16. The transmission 15 comprises a casing 17 having an input shaft 20 mounted for rotation in bearings 21. A pulley 22 is mounted on shaft 20 in driving engagement therewith and is adapted to rotate shaft 20 in the bearings 21. Shaft 20 is extended outwardly from pulley 22 and is threaded for the reception of suitable attachments to be rotated with shaft 20 at the speed at which shaft 20 rotates. The pulley 22 is connected to motor drive pulley 14 by a belt 23 and is larger than pulley 14 providing a speed reduction between the output shaft 13 of motor 11 and the input shaft 20 of transmission 15.

The transmission casing 17 has an output shaft 24 rotatively mounted in bearings 25 therein. The output shaft 24 has mounted on one end thereof a bevel gear 26 which is drivingly connected to the output shaft 24. The bevel gear 26 is driven by a bevel gear 27 which is mounted on the transmission input shaft 20 for rotation therewith and is larger than bevel gear 27 giving a further speed reduction from the shaft 20 to the shaft 24. Mounted on the end of output shaft 24 opposite from the bevel gear 26 is a chuck member 31 which is adapted to receive suitable attachments to be driven by the combination tool 10.

The combination tool 10 has attached to the frame 16 a pair of handles 32 which are to be used to transport the tool when it is being used as a portable unit. Mounted on the transmission casing 17 are a plurality of internally threaded projections 33 which are adapted to receive a number of suitable leg members 34 to provide a stand on which the tool may be supported when it is to be used in a stationary horizontal position.

In operation, if the combination tool 10 is to be used to bore holes in the earth, a suitable hole digging auger 37 is mounted in the chuck 31. The combination tool with the hole boring auger attached is then placed in the position as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, and the switch 18 is moved to the closed position to energize motor 11. The motor 11 drives the transmission input shaft 20 through the pulleys 14 and 22 by means of the belt 23 and the transmission output shaft 24 by means of the bevel gears 26 and 27. The speed of the motor 11 is reduced by the difference in sizes of the drive pulley 14 and the pulley 22 on the transmission input, shaft and by the difference in sizes of the bevel gears 26'and 27 thereby driving the hole digging auger 37 at a reduced speed which provides more power to bore the hole in the earth.

If the combination tool 10 is to be used to drill a hole in any suitable material, a chuck 40 is mounted on the input shaft 20 to transmission 15 and a suitable drill bit 41 is placed in chuck 40. The operation for driving the drill bit 41 is substantially the same as for driving the hole digging auger 37 except that the speed of motor 11 is only reduced by means of the difference in sizes of the pulleys 14 and 22.

If the combination tool 10 is to be used to drive an attachment such as a grinding wheel 42, the belt 23 is removed and the legs 34 are screwed into the projections 33 providing a stand upon which the combination tool may be placed. A suitable chuck 44 i threadably mounted on motor output shaft 13 and the grinding wheel 42 is placed thereon. A switch 18 is then placed in the on position and motor 11 drives the grinding wheel 42 through its output shaft 13. 1

It is readily apparent that the combination tool of the present invention provides a tool which is capable of a variety of uses on a farm or other similar place where such a tool would be desirable. The tool of the present invention provides three separate shafts on which attachments may be placed and operated at different speeds for providing different degrees of power thereto. The output shaft 24 of the transmission operates at the slowest speed and applies the greatest amount of torque to an attachment mounted thereon. The input shaft 20 on the transmission 15 operates at the second slowest speed and applies a lesser amount of torque to the attachment mounted thereon than would be applied by shaft 24. The output shaft 13 of motor 11 operates at the fastest speed and applies the least amount of torque to the attachments mounted thereon.

The apparatus of the present inventions provides a tool which is light in weight, readily portable and which is capable of driving a plurality of different attachments for performing various and sundry functions around a place such as a farm, ranch, etc.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim! Y r l. A portable combination tool for driving a-plurality of different attachments comprising a frame, an electric motor'mounted on said frame and having an output shaft extending outwardly therefrom'beyond one end of the frame, a first pulley mounted on said motor output shaft for rotation therewith and spaced inwardly from the outer end thereof, means, on said motor output shaft outwardly of said first pulley for reception of a first attachment, a transmission casing mounted ontsaid frame, a transmission input shaft mounted for rotation in and extending outwardly from said casing, said transmission input shaft extending beyond the same end of the frame as the motor output shaft, a second pulley drivingly mounted on said transmission input shaft in alinement with said first pulley on said motor output shaft and spaced inwardly from the outer end of said transmission input shaft,means drivingly connecting said pulleys, said second pulley being larger than said first pulley so that said transmission input shaft rotates at a slower speed than said motor output shaft to thereby deliver more torque, means on the outer end of said transmissionninput shaft outwardly of said second pulley for the receptionof a second attachment, a first bevel gear mounted on said transmission input shaft for rotation therewith within said transmission casing,.a trans-.

, mission output shaft journaled for rotationin said casing and extending outwardly therefrom perpendicularto said transmission input shaft, 'a second bevel gear drivingly mounted on said transmission output shaft within said casing and in operative engagement with said first bevel gear, said second bevel gear being larger than said first bevel gear so that said transmission output shaft rotates at a slower speed than said transmission input shaft to there'- by deliver more torque, means mounted on the outer end of said transmission output shaft for the reception of a third attachment, a plurality of elongate leg members being adapted to be connected to said frame to provide a stand for supporting the frame above a suitable sur-' face and of suflicient length to support said frame a substantial distance-abovethe surface at a convenient working height, means mounted on said frameforremovably receiving the upper end portions of said plurality of elongate leg, members to ;releasably connect the same to the frame, and handle means on said frame for usev in holding and manipulating the tool when'the leg members are removed.

r 2. A portable combination tool for driving a plurality of different attachments comprising a frame, a plurality of elongate leg members adapted to be connected to said frame to provide a stand for supporting the frame above a surface, said leg members being of sufficient length to support said frame a substantial distance above the-surface at a convenient workingheight, means on said frame for removably receiving the upper end portions of said plurality of leg members to releasably connect the same to the frame, handle means mounted on said frame for use in holding and manipulating the same when the leg members are removed, an electric motor mounted on said frame and having an output'shaft extending outwardly therefrom beyond one "end of -the frame, a first pulley mounted on said motor output shaft for rotation therewith and spaced inwardly from-the outer end thereof, means on said motor output shaft outwardly of said first pulley for mounting a first attachment on said motor output shaft for rotation therewith, a transmission casing mounted on said frame below said electric motor, a transmission 'inputshaft mounted for rotation in and extending out wardly from said casing, said transmission input shaft ex tending beyond the same end of the frame as the motor output shaft and-being substantially parallel thereto, a second pulley drivingly mounted on said transmission'input shaft in substantial vertical alinementwith said first pulley on said motor output shaft and spaced inwardly from the'out er end of said transmission input=shaft, means drivingly connecting said pulleys, means on'the outer-end of said transmission'input shaft outwardly of said second pulley for mounting a second attachment on said *transmission input shaft for rotat'ion -therewith, said second pulley being larger than said firstpulley' such'that said transmission input shaft rotates at a slower speed than said motor output shaft to'thereby deliver more torque, a first bevel gear mounted on said transmission input shaft for rotation therewith within said transmission cas-' ing, a transmission output shaft mounted for rotation in said casingand extending outwardly therefrom perpendicular to said transmission input shaft and in a dire'c tion downwardly away from said motor, a second bevel gear drivingly mounted on said transmission output' sliaft within said casing and inoperative engagement with said first bevel gear, said second bevel gear being larger than said first bevel gear so that said transmissionoutput shaft rotates at a slower speed than saidtransmission input shaft to thereby deliver more torque, and mean's on the outer end of said transmission output shaftfor mounting a third attachment on said transmission output shaft for rotation therewith.

References Cited :in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Gould -t. Apr. '3 1951.

2,547,818 2,730,901 Ripple Jan. 17, 1 956 2,740,907 Dannenmann V Apr. 3, 1956 2,839,696 Dunham June 17, 1958 

